A licensed business entity real estate broker is an organization that can act as a real estate broker and is qualified to conduct business in Texas.

Qualifications

• Be authorized to transact business in Texas
• Designate an active Texas real estate broker to act on behalf of the organization

Additional Qualifications for Foreign Business Entities

A business entity created or chartered under the laws of another state may apply for a license in Texas if the business entity:

• Is licensed as a broker in another state
• Was created or chartered in a state that does not license business entities and the entity is lawfully engaged in the practice of real estate brokerage in that state

Requirements to Obtain a License

You have one year from the date your application is filed to meet all license requirements. 

Designate a Broker

A business entity cannot act as a broker in Texas unless the entity designates an active individual broker to act on its behalf. The designated broker must be a managing officer of the business entity and must be in good standing with the Commission.This individual broker is considered not in good standing if:

• the broker's license is revoked or suspended, including probated revocation or suspension
• a business entity licensed by the Commission while the broker was the designated broker for that business entity had its license revoked or suspended, including probated revocation or suspension, in the past two years
• the broker has any unpaid or past due monetary obligations to the Commission, including administrative penalties or recovery fund payments
• a business entity licensed by the Commission has any unpaid or past due monetary obligations to the Commission, including administrative penalties or recovery fund payments, that were incurred while the broker was the designated broker for the entity

File Your Application

Apply Online

Submit your application and fee to become a Business Entity Broker using our Online Services. If you don’t already have a username and password for our Online Services, register now. If you have already registered online with TALCB or TREC in the past, log in now.

Apply by Mail

If you prefer, you can also apply for a business entity broker license using our paper application.

Submit Required Documents

Franchise Tax Account Status

Proof that the business is eligible to transact business in Texas.

Must be issued within 21 days prior to the date of the application.

Proof of Managing Authority

Proof of the Designated Broker's current status as an officer of a corporation, a manager or managing member of an LLC, or general partner for a partnership.

Examples of acceptable proof of managing authority include the following:

Corporation

• Corporate Resolution or Meeting Minutes – signed by Directors (Chair or all) or all Shareholders;
  • Must include a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws
• Officers and Directors Info on the Franchise Tax Account Status page results;
• Articles of Incorporation or Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State’s office

LLC

• Operating Agreement- signed by all Members;
• Officers and Directors Info on the Franchise Tax Account Status page results;
• Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Amendment filed with the Secretary of State’s office;
• Company Resolution

Partnership

        Partnership Agreement - signed by all partners

Proof of Ownership or E&O Insurance

If the designated broker owns 10% or more of the entity, proof of the designated broker’s ownership.

If the designated broker does not own at least 10% of the entity, proof that the business entity maintains errors and omissions insurance in the amount of $1 million per occurrence.

Examples of acceptable proof of ownership documents include:

Corporation

• Stock Certificates
• IRS Schedules K-1, C or G
• Corporate Resolution or Meeting Minutes – signed by Directors or Shareholders
  
  • Must include a copy of the Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws

LLC

• Operating Agreement
• IRS Schedules K-1 or C
  

Partnership

• Partnership Agreement
• IRS Schedules K-1 or C

*For foreign business entities, proof that the business entity is licensed as a foreign broker, such as a real estate license history from the other state.

Submit your documents to TREC after applying online or with your paper application.

Are you looking for information about business entity registration? 

Get answers to frequently asked questions, review a helpful chart, and watch a short video in this article.